Blog If You Love Learning: An Introduction to Weblogs in Education

Mark Wagner
Educational Technology and Life
mark@edtechlife.com

Slides (Quicktime Format)

Interactive Demo

What is a blog?
What is the read/write web?
What do these technologies mean for you and your students?

Pets and Babies: See Clark's blog as an example of a multimedia (niche) blog: http://clarkkelley.blogspot.com

Create an Account at Blogger.com (or use your existing Google Account)
Or, Create an Account at Edublogs.org

The One-Way Web

Powerful resource for educators and students, but…
Information moves from publishers to consumers
Information cannot be edited
Read-Only Web
Web 1.0

The Two-Way Web

It is now as easy to create as it is to consume.
Anyone can publish, share, and change information
Read/Write Web
Web 2.0
This is changing our world!

Blogs

Web + Log = weblog or “we blog”
Easily created
Easily updated
If you can email, you can blog.
Blogs allow visitors to comment.

Educational Blogs

Teacher web sites Example
Class web sites Example
Learning journals Example
Book Clubs Example
Connect with Authors and Experts Example (Link now dead.)
- UPDATE: The Story - http://thejournal.com/articles/2005/06/01/new-jersey-high-school-learns-the-abcs-of-blogging.aspx
Pen Pals Example (See Global Awareness and Cultural Literacy Through Electronic Dialog)
Professional Development Example
Reflective Practice Example (Also, don't miss David Warlick's blog and Vicki Davis' blog.)

Subject Specific Examples

Algebra Example
Art Example
English Example
Music Example
Physical Ed. Example*
Science Example
Social Studies Example
Counseling Example
Spanish Example

Middle School Examples (for CLMS from my colleagues on Twitter)

More Examples: http://www.supportblogging.com

Reflection: Add your comment to our demo blog:

How might you use a blog or blogs with your class?
What are your next steps?

Hands-On with Blogger.com or Edublogs.org

Blogger video tutorials!
Edublogs Video Tutorials
A blog about edublogs tutorials ! (Including more videos.)

Practice: Read, Reflect, Write, Respond...

Better Blogging

Read (Or Do), Reflect, Write, Respond
Develop voice (and identity)
Make a contribution
Make connections
Blog as a backup brain
25 Basic Styles of Blogging (and when to use each one)
Educational Role-Play

Benefits

Engagement and Motivation
Context
Inquiry
Collaboration
Reflection and Metacognition

Concerns

Information Literacy
Inappropriate Content
Inappropriate Sharing
Threats and Cyber-bullying
Intellectual Property (Check out creativecommons.org for alternative licensing.)
Fraud and Identity Theft
Stalkers and Predators
Free Speech Concerns
Lack of Understanding
More Internet Awareness and Safety Resources: http://internetawareness.wikispaces.com
More on the legal and privacy issues surrounding blogging and other digital media: http://www.eff.org/

Proactive Strategies

Citizen Journalism and Citizen Police Work
Legal Protections
Safety Tips for Students
Safety Tips for Parents
Communication and Empathy

Reflection

What do you see as obstacles to your use of blogs in your class?
What might you do to overcome these obstacles?

Online Evaluation (Not Currently Open)

Blog Search Engines:
Technorati.com
Google Blog Search

Next Steps:
RSS - http://reallysimple.wikispaces.com - Subscribe to blogs (and other "Feeds") so that the updates come to you!
Wikis - http://wikiwhileyouwork.wikispaces.com - A wiki is a website that visitors can edit, making it another two-way collaboration tool.
Podcasting - http://podcastined.wikispaces.com - A podcast is like a blog with audio or video. Create your own online radio or TV show!
Twitter - http://twittermethis.wikispaces.com - Join a global learning community and feel good about it... while social microblogging!

Learning to Network & Networking to Learn: Beyond The Tools - http://networktolearn.wikispaces.com

*Thanks to Lisa Thuman and her PLN for this update.

workshop

Blog If You Love Learning: An Introduction to Weblogs in Education